6th Annual New Taste of the Upper West Side: Comfort Classics 2013

Last week I attended the 6th annual New Taste of the Upper West Side food fest at the grand tent on Columbus Avenue between W. 76th-W.77th Streets. Comfort Classics, hosted by Travel Channel's Adam Richman for the third consecutive year, took place on May 31st, followed by Best of the West on June 1st. 40 of the Upper West Side's most innovative chefs presented new takes on soul-food classics. DJ Phresh mixed up the music while guests sampled dishes and enjoyed world class wines and cocktails from Palm Bay International Fine Wine & Spirits.

Christina Tosi signed copies of her book, Momofuku Milk Bar, which contains amazing recipes such as cereal milk panna cotta, compost cookies and white peach sorbet. Christina also happened to be the people's choice that night, with the most votes for Momofuku Milk Bar cake truffles: pretzel truffles, b'day truffles and chocolate chip truffles.

Here's a look at my favorite Comfort Classics restaurants and their dishes:

Sugar and Plumm: Apple Glazed Berkshire Pork Belly with House Pickled Vegetables

Sysco: Red Potatoes, Chicken Chorizo, Baby Clam and Lobster-Corn Pudding

Tolani Wine Restaurant: Salmon Tartar with Candied Ginger Soy Vinaigrette, Micro Wasabi and Avocado Yuzu Mousse

Mamajuana Cafe: Ceviche

A.G. Kitchen: Pork Tacos

Jacob's Pickles

Sarabeth's: Sarah's Famous Velvety Cream of Tomato Soupand Buttermilk Biscuits

Gabriela's Restaurant & Tequila Bar: Shrimp & Pineapple Ceviche - Shrimp Ceviche, Pineapple, Jalapenos, Citrus and Mexican Beer

Shake Shack: Dapper Dog topped with Shack Cheddar and American Cheese Sauce and Crispy Shackmeister Ale-Marinated Shallots / ShackMeister Frozen Custard topped with Candied Pecans for a sugary bite

Momofuku Milk Bar: Cake Truffles

B'Day Truffles

Chocolate Chip Truffles

Pretzel Truffles

Magnolia Bakery

Banana Pudding

Mini Classic Cupcakes

Cream Cheese Brownies

Roscato Rosso Dolce sweet red wine

Cavit Moscato

Bastille 1789 French Blended Whiskey

The Irishman Original Clan Irish Whiskey

Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey

Dos Maderas Rum 5 + 3 Years Old Cask & Barrel

Pouring Bottega Venetian Gold Prosecco, upside down on aerial silks - amazing!

- Kim Weling

BaubleBar Soho Summer Pop-Up Shop

BaubleBar is back, with their second pop-up store this year in Manhattan, opening June 6th at 131 Greene Street in SoHo. The 2-month pop-up shop (4,000 square feet) will be open through August 13th, featuring the same items available on its site and will serve as the launching pad for national pop-ups. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

At the pop-up, you can build your dream accessories wardrobe using any of the on-hand services, including styling sessions from BaubleBar's SWAT stylists, an interactive guide to wearing our essentials, and a Personalization App, built by Gin Lane Media, that lets you "build before you buy" with BaubleBar's suite of best-selling customized pieces.

While you shop, stop by the Indulgence Bar and sample specialty Godiva Spirits and cocktails. Customers can also snap pictures of themselves at BaubleBar's photobooth. Customers can also post a pic on Instagram using the hashtag #BaubleBar, and swing by the photobooth to grab a print-out of the Instagram. 

For a full list of BaubleBar Soho pop-up shop events, click here. 

- Kim Weling

Joie, Current/Elliot and Equipment Sample Sale

GUESS & Marciano Spring 2013

GUESS & Marciano Spring 2013 feature pastels, florals and stripes. The Marciano collection also includes a nautical theme with a mix of red, white and navy. It's easy to dress up your look with an embellished piece, like the beaded collar blouse or beaded skirt. For GUESS, you'll also see abstract dye dresses, bleached denim shorts and floral printed denim. Check out some of the spring sales going on at guess.com!

 MARCIANO

  GUESS

 

  

 

 

- Kim Weling

Sephora's Sweet 15 and June Events with BITE and Bumble and bumble

Sephora is celebrating their birthday with complimentary makeovers, skincare consultations and more at Sephora's in-store parties (all Sephora locations) every Saturday between June 8-29. Leave with a new look and a special birthday gift!

*Valid while supplies last with your $50 purchase. One offer per person. Not redeemable for cash or credit.

Check out these other upcoming Sephora events:

Get a lip-over from BITE Beauty at the Sephora Beauty Studio!* Choose from a range of BITE's high-pigment, hydrating shades then watch as BITE experts customize luscious, longwearing color - just for you. Receive your personalized, full-sized lipstick free with any BITE purchase.

*Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred, no purchase necessary.

**While supplies last. Excludes Beauty to Go product.

Thursday, June 6th and Friday, June 7th

11am-7pm

Sephora 86th & Lexington

144 East 86th Street

New York, NY 10028

(212) 426-6199

Sephora 5th Avenue

597 5th Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 980-6534

There's no better way to get summer ready than with perfect beach hair! Stop by for a free one-on-one Surf Spray styling session with legendary hair brand Bumble & bumble.* Leave with styled tresses, new tips and techniques and a deluxe product sample.**

*Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred, no purchase necessary.

**While supplies last.

12pm-6pm

Thursday, June 6th

Sephora SoHo

555 Broadway

New York, NY 10012

(212) 625-1309

Thursday, June 13th

Sephora 5th Avenue

597 5th Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 980-6534

Thursday, June 20th

Sephora Times Square

1500 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

(212) 944-6789

Friday, June 21st

Sephora 76th & Broadway

2164 Broadway

New York, NY 10024

(917) 441-4760

June Sample Sales - Helmut Lang / Leg Resource / Ralph Lauren / Nicholas K / Alice and Olivia

Helmut Lang Sample Sale

clothingline 
261 W 36th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10018
(between 7th & 8th Ave.)

Here's a look at the Helmut Lang Sample Sale price list